Later Years
Term 4 promises to be a very busy term for all students in Later Years.
Our Year 12 students – the Class of 2017 – are finishing up formal classes in the next couple of weeks, culminating in the traditional Springfest celebration on Monday 23rd October, followed by Celebration Day on Tuesday 24th October.
I would like to stress the importance of responsible and respectful behaviour from all of our Year 12 students during this period of time. It is certainly an exciting time for students and one that they would have been dreaming about for some time! However, it is crucial that they demonstrate appropriate behaviour. There is no place for defacing the school or damaging property; students who elect to partake in such activities will face consequences. We have faith in the maturity of our Year 12 students to make the right decisions around their behaviour and choices.
VCAA exams commence on Wednesday 1st November and run through until Wednesday 22nd November. The following night, with the pressure of exams behind them, our students will celebrate with staff and family at the Valedictory Dinner, at Cranbourne Turf Club.
Year 10 and 11 students will be completing exams later in the semester. Below is a summary of key dates. The exam timetables should be released within the next week or so, and students need to take the responsibility to note when their exams are and ensure they prepare appropriately, with the guidance of their teachers. The purpose of exams at Years 10 and 11 is not only to assess student knowledge gained throughout the semester, but also to give students valuable experience in preparing for large scale formal examinations for Year 12. Parents can support their child by helping them devise a study timetable and providing a quiet, organised place at home for study.
Following the exams, Year 10 and 11 students will be participating in a transition program for their following year’s classes. We are calling the program ‘Step Up’ as we want to engage our students with the knowledge and skills they will need to step up to the requirements of the following year. Students will attend 4 or 5 periods of classes for each of their new subjects. Teachers are designing learning activities to address key skills that students need to succeed in the following year. Follow up activities will need to be completed over the summer break to ensure students are as well prepared as possible for the following year. Attendance at this program is mandatory and we look forward to helping each of our students prepare as best they can.
A summary of key dates is included for your reference here.
Current Year 11 students
Last day of Unit 2 classes: Tuesday 14th November.
Unit 2 Exam Period: Wednesday 15th November – Wednesday 22nd November
Step Up Transition Program: Thursday 23rd November – Wednesday 29th November
Unit 2 Exam Review Day: Thursday 30th November – Friday 1st December (last day that current Year 11 students are required to be at school)
Current Year 10 students
Last day of Year 10 classes: Tuesday 21st November
Year 10 Exam Period: Wednesday 22nd November – Friday 24th November
Year 10 Assessment Day: Monday 27th November (no Year 10 students required at school)
Step Up Transition Program: Tuesday 28th November – Wednesday 6th December (includes Exam Review Day on Wednesday 29th November)
Year 10 Course Confirmation Day: Friday 8th December (last day that current Year 10 students are required to be at school).
Good luck to all students for a productive and successful Term 4!
Mark Oudshoorn
Leader of Later Years
Year 12 Parents
During assembly this week Year 12 students were briefed on the Change of Preference process which follows the release of ATARs on December 15th. Students will have until noon on December 20th to make changes to course preferences. They are advised to seek help from myself in the Careers Centre by booking an appointment. A guide to the process and a list of relevant services has been made available to students via Compass.
Phil Newnham
Careers